GOLDEN PLOVER. 
291 
corresponding seasonal changes in the plumage, 
with the last, differs in structure in the absence 
of the hinder toe ; nevertheless, as stated, we con- 
sider, in these birds, that too much consequence 
has been set upon this form, and, for the present, 
prefer retaining them with S. Firginianm, as con- 
generic. In Britain, the Golden Plover is one of the 
most abundant species, being found on the coasts, 
generally in vast flocks, during winter; and, in 
summer, retiring to all the wide tracks of alpine 
moor which occur in Scotland and Ireland, ex- 
tending northward to Orkney and Shetland, and, 
wherever such localities occur, to England. In 
Scotland, they reach their breeding grounds early 
in spring, and select some spot, from which they 
do not stray far. These are chosen both in the 
subalpine moorlands, and on the tops of hills of 
considerable elevation. The breeding plumage is 
altered almost immediately after the station has 
been fixed upon ; and, when incubation has com- 
menced, the appearance of an intruder causes re- 
iterated utterance of their wailing cry, the birds 
flying around, and perching on some raised mossy 
hillock in the vicinity. The nest is scarcely more 
than a scratched hollow, very few grasses or lining 
material being used. When the young birds have 
attained their full plumage, the broods congregate 
together, and may be found in large flocks, fre- 
quenting for a time their moorland locality. As 
autumn advances, they descend to the lower mea- 
dows or fallows, collecting fresh numbers; and, 
